Westmoreland supervisors approve financial review, personnel leave changes and several local land and road actions; residents press road, trash and EMS concerns

Westmoreland County supervisors on Tuesday approved a roughly $30,000 contract for a comprehensive financial review, adopted multiple revisions to employee leave policies, approved a special-exception permit for a community water system in the Burnhouse Cove subdivision and initiated two road-name corrections and a hunting ordinance text amendment for consideration by the planning commission.

The actions were taken amid extended public comment pressing the board to address long-standing problems with unpaved subdivision roads, illegal roadside dumping and emergency-service staffing. County staff also announced operational updates including delivery of two new ambulances, a pause on buying a tire-cutter while staff explores contracting disposal, and scheduling of auditors for the March 24 meeting.

The board approved the key items by roll call or voice vote. County Administrator Taylor and outside consultants from Davenport & Company told supervisors the financial review will produce a public report and policy recommendations; Taylor called the new ambulances “brand new shiny” and said a second unit arrives the next day. The personnel-policy package front-loads first-year paid time off for new hires, establishes a leave-donation pool with an 8-hour opt-in, and creates a four-week compassionate-care leave for qualifying employees.

Votes at a glance - Davenport & Company: Board approved a contract for a comprehensive financial review (amount discussed ~ $30,000 plus a reported 4% allowance). Outcome: approved (voice/roll-call vote). Motion and second recorded; roll call recorded ayes and motion carried. - Personnel policy Chapter 5 (leave): Board approved front-loading first-year paid time off, a leave-donation policy and a compassionate-care leave policy (details below). Outcome: approved by roll call. - Burnhouse Cove:…